Local Wanders

Monroe Street Books owners Dick and Flanzy Chodkowski have watched their business change since it first opened in 1991. An ever-expanding repertoire of books and the growing popularity of online book-selling has shaped how the store has conducted business. Yet, one thing has not changed- the charm of browsing through stacks of rare books and the excitement of finding the perfect novel you did not know existed.
The Chodkowskis, originally from Los Angeles, moved to Middlebury in order to escape the stress of urban life. At the time, they were working freelance and decided to take advantage of their flexible jobs and move to Vermont.
“You can freelance anywhere,” said Dick. “So I figured why not live in a beautiful location?”
Self-proclaimed collectors, the Chodkowskis acquire books as a hobby. The couple began selling books from their personal collection in the back of their house.
In 2004, Monroe Street Books moved to a storage warehouse on Route 7, as the collection of books, which currently totals more than 120,000, proved too big for the Chodkowski’s house. The store’s new location on Route 7 has increased its exposure.
Monroe Street Books prides itself in its extensive collection of art and photography books, which grew from Dick Chodkowski’s own interest in the subject. He worked as an art director at an advertising agency for several years. Art-Lovers will find anything from coffee table books on Matisse to publications on woodcarving and craft design.
Other specialties include children collectibles, American history and Vermont-interest books. The store’s extensive modern fiction collection includes authors, such as Auster and Zola. Monroe Street Books does not have a vast collection of textbooks, self-help books or mechanical guides since information is evolving and new editions are frequently released.
Currently, online transactions make up the majority of sales. The store sells its merchandise on sites like Biblio, and on its website monroestreetbooks.com.
Chodkowski sees the growing popularity of online book-selling as a double-edged sword. One downside is that non-professional individuals who independently sell merchandise on on-line retail sites tend to undersell books due to their ignorance about the monetary worth. This creates competition for professional booksellers.
On the flip side, online sales have helped Monroe Street Books gain recognition across the world.
“Buyers are able to find us no matter where they are in the world,” said Chodkowski.
In addition to the store’s collection of books, vintage ephemera is also for sale. In the book-selling business ephemera refers to collectible comic books, antiquated paperbacks, century-old farmer almanacs, pamphlets and anything else that has value due to its quirkiness and historical importance. My favorite piece of ephemera was a “Bonnie Scotland” calendar from 1955.
Outside of the store are tables with one and two dollar books, which are worth checking out if you are on a tight budget.
Monroe Street Books has been praised by authors, like Jim Shepard, and was featured in the Wall Street Journal.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9-6 and every Sunday from 11-6. Students will receive a 20 percent discount from their total purchase, as well.